India’s air defence system showed its strength on Wednesday night when the Indian Air Force (IAF) used its powerful S-400 Sudarshan Chakra missile systems to stop a major threat from Pakistan.
According to the Defence Ministry, on the night of May 7-8, 2025, Pakistan tried to attack several military locations in Northern and Western India. These included places like Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj. Pakistan used drones and missiles for the attack, but India’s defence systems successfully blocked the attempt.
After the attack, India’s advanced Air Defence systems and the Integrated Counter-UAS Grid successfully destroyed the incoming drones and missiles. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that debris from these projectiles is now being collected from different locations, serving as clear proof of Pakistan’s failed attempt.
This incident comes at a time when tensions are already high, following India’s recent precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan under Operation Sindoor.
About S-400 Sudarshan Chakra
The S-400, called “Sudarshan Chakra” by the Indian Air Force (IAF), is one of the most advanced long-range air defence missile systems in the world. It gets its name from the powerful mythological weapon of Lord Vishnu.
Integrated into the IAF’s command and control system, each S-400 squadron includes two batteries. Each battery has six missile launchers, a high-tech radar system, and a command center, capable of supporting up to 128 missiles per battery.
India signed a deal worth ₹35,000 crore with Russia in 2018 to buy five squadrons of the S-400. Three squadrons are already active, and the remaining two are expected to be operational by 2026.
Power and performance of S-400
The S-400 Sudarshan Chakra is one of India’s most advanced air defence systems. It can spot and shoot down different types of airborne threatslike fighter jets, stealth aircraft, drones, and even cruise or ballistic missiles from up to 400 km away.
What sets it apart is its ability to launch multiple types of missiles, giving it the power to handle threats coming from different directions and heights at the same time. Its high-tech radar and resistance to jamming make it reliable even in high-conflict zones where enemies try to block its signals.
In a past Indian Air Force drill, the S-400 proved its strength by successfully “hitting” 80% of the incoming simulated enemy aircraft, while the rest had to turn back without completing their mission.